Prog-rock guitarist Adrian Belew will join Umphrey’s McGee for a run of shows this March. Belew will open for, and later perform with, the prog-inspired jam-titans at Urbana, ILs Canopy Club (3/14), Grand Rapidss Orbit Room (3/15), Pontiac, MIs Clutch Cargos (3/16), and South Bend, INs Morris Performing Arts Center (3/17).
Tis the season for side-project and while at home preparing for their New Years Eve run, the members of Umphreys McGee have remained busy . On Thursday drummer Kris Myers sat-in with Hack’N Wheeze for a cover of Trey Anastasios Burlap Sack and Pumps and Weens Roses are Free at Chicagos Joe’s Pub. Friday and Saturday guitarist Brendan Bayliss and bassist Ryan Stasik performed with the New Deals Darren Shearer and Jamie Shields at the Windy Citys Martyrs’. Billed as The Omega Moos, the quartet offered two evenings of improvisational dance music, including numerous Beatles teases and a nod to the Top Gun theme. On Friday Bayliss and guitarist Jake Cinninger will host their annual acoustic holiday show at Chicagos Vic Theatre. Myers will also perform a free show with Sicky Lupree and Rich Stitzel at the citys Webster Wine Bar tonight.